Ford, Fiat talks go on; strike at GM possible

Leaders of the United Auto Workers union have extended contracts with Ford and Fiat Chrysler indefinitely, but the pact with General Motors is still set to expire Saturday night.

The move puts added pressure on bargainers for both sides as they approach the contract deadline and the union starts to make preparations for a strike.

The contract extension was confirmed Friday by UAW spokesman Brian Rothenberg, who declined further comment.

The union has picked GM as the target company, meaning it is the focus of bargaining and would be the first company to face a walkout. GM's contract with the union is scheduled to expire at 11:59 p.m. Saturday.

It's possible that the four-year GM contract also could be extended or a deal could be reached, but it's more likely that 49,200 UAW members could walk out of GM plants as early as Sunday because union and company demands are so far apart.

Picket line schedules have been posted near the entrance to one UAW office in Detroit. Plant-level union leaders from all over the country will be in Detroit on Sunday to talk about the next steps, and after that, the union likely will make an announcement.